Since its inception, “Readers’ Rides” has been one of the most popular and cov- eted columns of RC Car Action. It is always exciting to see readers’ contributions to the RC community, and “Readers’ Rides”
gives everyone an opportunity to exercise their RC pride.

Scale RC builds have always been on the radar, but over the
last few years, they have taken o; in popularity. While
we have been impressed by numerous “Readers’ Rides”
submissions in 2012, Norm Zondervan’s scale F350
and trailer build stands out of the pack and earns the
distinction of 2012 Readers’ Ride of the Year!

BY MICHAEL WORTEL

Norm Zondervan | Byron Center, MITHE BIG PRIZE…

Each month in 2012, Novak sponsored our “Readers’ Rides” column and
the Readers’ Ride of the Month won a GTB2 Brushless speed control. For
winning Readers’ Ride of the Year, Norm will get to pick the brushless
system of his choice. With so many to pick from, Norm certainly has his
work cut out for himself. Perhaps the Novak Timbuk2 or the all-new
Pulse system will find their way into Norm’s next big build. We can’t wait
to see. Congrats, Norm!

THE TRUCK

Welcome to scale awesomeness! Although the F350 truck is based o; aTamiya CC-01 chassis, the similarities to a mass-produced truck end there.Norm hand-created a number of elements on the truck and trailer, includinga bed toolbox, BackRack, full LED lighting, and fully functioning snowplow—which, if you have ever visited Michigan in the winter, you would understandits necessity.Norm’s setupis powered bya 55 T crawlermotor, which notonly cruises at aperfectly scale60mph, it alsoprovides the torquenecessary to towthe heavy load.

Norm detailed the
F350 down to the
finite detail producing
a snowplow, salt
spreader, and tons of
other bolt-ons just
like a full-size would
have.